Hazel Smith passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024 at Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor, surrounded by friends and the Manor’s pastor. She had been in long-term care since December 2022 following a debilitating stroke. We thank the staff of the Manor for the diligent care they showered on Hazel.
.... Born February 13, 1944 Hazel grew up in Findochty, a coastal village near Aberdeen (Scotland), in a family of fishermen. She loved cats from an early age, as did her mother. Young Hazel would let the family cat indoors to mollify her mother, before entering the home wearing dirty clothes. Her cousin Angela was her playmate. Together they enjoyed an unrestricted childhood with the freedom to roam the village, beaches and moors. They had good fun as children and did get up to mischief daring each other to carry out various pranks.
.... A petite woman, Hazel was very intelligent, highly capable and determined to succeed. She excelled in school, became a skilled pianist and spoke several languages. She studied French, German and Italian at the University of Aberdeen where she graduated with honours in 1967. Her M.A. thesis focussed on French medieval poetry. Her university education included summer courses at La Sorbonne in Paris and a teaching exchange in Montréjeau in France. From this came an enduring love of France, its language and fine cuisine. Although Hazel studied hard she also enjoyed her life as a student as evidenced by the lifelong friendships she formed.
.... After university, Hazel learned shorthand and Dictaphone typing, and started to work as a secretary in London (England). Because her job required wearing a different outfit every day over the course of 21 days, she learned to sew in order to build her wardrobe on a small budget. Hazel lived in London in the Swinging Sixties, when everyone was out to enjoy themselves. She would come home to Findochty in some daring outfits of miniskirts, capes, high boots and so on. She dressed quite boldly at that time, and not until later did her dress style become more conservative. She was always a smart dresser who looked fabulous with her signature hair bun.
.... Hazel caught the eye of several suitors over the years but chose to remain single and independent. Although she never married or had family of her own, she kept in touch with her cousins and knew all her younger relatives.
.... In 1969 she joined a medical equipment company originally based in London, as a translator and interpreter. In 1971, the company moved to Canada and so did Hazel. She became the assistant to chairman Fraser Sweatman, a pioneer in the field of anesthesia equipment. Her job took her to many different cities across North America.
... Based in Toronto, Hazel occupied the same penthouse apartment at 80 St Clair Avenue East for 51 years. From her balcony she enjoyed unobstructed views from the Vale of Avoca to the Don Valley, and from Mount Pleasant Cemetery to lake Ontario.
.... After Mr. Sweatman’s retirement, Hazel started in the financial sector in 1982, working her way to registered securities representative and salesperson in 1984. She worked for RBC Dominion Securities, Midland Walwyn and Nesbitt Burns. Her duties included bond and stock trading, trade settlement and administration of client accounts. Hazel was well served by her attention to detail and skill with numbers. She retired in 1998.
.... Hazel nurtured her appetite for learning by attending courses at the University of Toronto and reading serious literature. She was a fan of film, the opera and ballet, and often visited art exhibitions at local museums. In retirement Hazel became a serious walker and went everywhere in old Toronto on foot. She became a Canadian citizen in July 2004.
.... Her later years were marred by health concerns but she did her best to adjust by adopting technology to stay in touch with the world and her many friends. In all other aspects of her life however, she remained firmly paper-based.
.... Hazel studied hard, made a really good career for herself and enjoyed her life in Toronto. She favoured the good things in life, enjoyed a laugh and was a good storyteller and mimic. She will be missed by her family in Scotland and her many friends in several countries.
.... Hazel leaves behind in Scotland her only cousin, Angela Douglas, and Angela’s family of Ailsa, Kathryn and Robert.
.... You can honour Hazel’s memory by making a donation in her name to the Arthritis Society Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation or the Scott Mission.
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.... Toronto friends will gather to remember Hazel’s life on June 15, 2024 between 2 and 4 pm in the Atrium of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, 230 St Clair Avenue West. Oral tributes to Hazel will be given starting 2:30 pm - all are welcome to contribute. Light refreshments will be served.
... Hazel's ashes will be scattered in a private service this summer at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.